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Just to name a few. I know i have alot of time but those are the current fields im most interested in. My question is, what prep should i be taking by now? Shouls i take art classes in high school. Even though they are not really close to this stuff (my school is cheap). The only advanced class they have I been taking it since freshmen year. Which i designed the school website for the intranet in the town. My only problem is sketching, i totally s*ck at it, and my school has a course called graphic design but its nothing near what the name surggest..

Well any surggestions..? I have been reading books on graphic design and the ideas/philosophy behind it ect..my only problem is sketching

First of all, if you want to get into a good school with overall good ciriculum make sure your math and english (or other language) are up to snuff. Your time won't be wasted on history either.

You should take what ever classes you feel like in high schol. Art would certainly give you practice if nothing else. If you find that you are behind or ahead of your school's pace consider asking for help.. private lessons perhaps. Your school might be able to provide this or you could go outside your schol if you or your parents are willing to pay.

Or, you could start a club for people with similar interests... that kind of thing tends to impress colleges.

One more thought... it is more important how well a class is taught than what the class is about. Find the best teachers and take their classes.

There... hope I somewhat addressed your question

Using your unpaid time to add free content to SitePoint Pty Ltd's portfolio?

I think that it's great that your're thinking about this so early in your life! You really need a good math background for everything now, even if you want to get into graphics. Take very varied courses in humanities, sciences, and the arts. Become well rounded and find a good school. Your sig doesn't give a clue as to your geographical area, but there are good schools most everywhere. Get a degree in something (interestingly the field doesn't often really matter), and put together a killer portfolio (in the business world called a "book"). There are a lot of opportunities out there and I wish that I were your age with the new technology changes so fresh. I am pretty lucky being 54 years old and working for NASA in Graphics and Photography. Luckily I look forward to the different learning challenges. Best of luck in whatever you choose!

just to tell u, having classes isnt a bad idea - and if they provide kind of certificate, that makes it better. but not to underestimate books, they are a great resource and u can alos check a lot of Online resources by searching !!

Originally posted by Ruchir just to tell u, having classes isnt a bad idea - and if they provide kind of certificate, that makes it better. but not to underestimate books, they are a great resource and u can alos check a lot of Online resources by searching !!

Yeah, books are good, but if you want to continue the same stuff after you finish school/college you *WILL* need a degree in somthing to get a good job in that area.

I really wanted to do a course in graphic design, but there's no course that really suit me (i'm a bit like you as in I can't sketch/draw for nuts) -- I couldn't find any courses that suited me, so i'm doing a boring I.T. course, learning Java2 (I hate programming as well) If i can find somthing else i'll try and swap i think

Thanks guys..Well, i know im young but I really want to be something in this life. Its just on the school I go to (everywhere), the kids can careless of their future. And i refuse to be torn by their ignorance to be a k a (cool) and not study nor have a future. Anyhow, yeah I been reading alot of books...but i really want to have a career that i like and want it to be different you know (have fun while working). Anyhow, i live in NewJesery (northern part) Im going to try to get into NJIT. I have been searching for art school but no luck here in NJ, most are over at CA.

I'm positive there are excellent art programs in New York... and there's probably a decent handful in New England. I can't say which schools off the top of my head but a New Jersey guidence couselor should know.

Using your unpaid time to add free content to SitePoint Pty Ltd's portfolio?

Depend on which school, I graduated from excellent univesity UACT (University of Advancing Computer Technology) I travel lots before I enroll at UACT to look thur different school in America and Canada. In my opinion (well bit biased) I think that UACT is best of the bestest unversity to offer different courses graphic, web, programming and IT. They have strong "link" with other different of companies that look for artist, programmer etc.. at UACT. They offer higher guarantee to recieve the job when you re graduate but again it is biased and I graduated from there and got a job immediately. Students and staffs around there are very excellent and challenges. UACT area is at near Phoenix, Arizona.

But do what members above advice, it is best advice for you to follow up. My only suggest is look thur and check thur dust to dust at different college and compare in every details as possible. Good luck =)

Im in the UK, so I can't really comment on the specifics... however, I would strongly agree that you will be far better going into a traditional graphic design type course than a techie one. You will learn all the design fundamentals you will need to apply your skills in the fields you mentioned, and people respect designers more who come from this kind of background. If you go for a techie course, you will be lectured by techies, NOT designers. I followed this route in the UK, and my graphic design course touched on web and multimedia design too, which I concentrated on in my spare time.

At your age you want to keep your options open, go for a broader base, and you can specialise in your own portoflio...which will be the main way for you to get a job when you have finished.

mmm, what would a course like that be decribed as? I really want transfer next year (maybe even next semester) -- this programming oreinteered (sp ) course is driving me insane... even somthing non-web based would be better!

Originally posted by jonnya Im in the UK, so I can't really comment on the specifics... however, I would strongly agree that you will be far better going into a traditional graphic design type course than a techie one. You will learn all the design fundamentals you will need to apply your skills in the fields you mentioned, and people respect designers more who come from this kind of background. If you go for a techie course, you will be lectured by techies, NOT designers. I followed this route in the UK, and my graphic design course touched on web and multimedia design too, which I concentrated on in my spare time.

At your age you want to keep your options open, go for a broader base, and you can specialise in your own portoflio...which will be the main way for you to get a job when you have finished.

I agree with you, it is best to take traditional graphic course, that s where UACT's strength is, they offer both traditional and CG. But it doesnt have to be tradition graphic artist to be good at CG, I know some people who cannot draw a straight line yet they can do CG much better than I am nor never take any traditional graphic course. I do encourage anyone to take some courses in traditional graphic since it is best one to learn how character moves, speak, animate and many more such as Disneyland. Or buy some books on Anime/Manga (Japan cartoon but very highly popular than any cartoons or even real action) They offer good traditional lessons to draw.